Is there a waiting period after submiting a winning ticket?

Reply #7

Stack47 — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 20:49:05 GMT

It took four to six weeks to get paid any prize over $600 before the Ohio Lottery started using banks as cashing agents. The payoff was just under $900 when I matched 5 of 6 and my only choice was to take the ticket to a regional office and it was six weeks to the day when I got the check. It may still take that long today with prizes over $5000 because of the number of things that are investigated.

If the winner owes child support or Ohio taxes, it might take even longer.

Reply #6

RJOh — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 18:32:42 GMT

I've matched 5of6 in the local Classic Lotto for $1500 and I was paid immediately on presenting my verified ticket, filled out claim form and I.D.

I supposed if I had won the jackpot and traveled to a regional office, I would have had to wait for them to check me out, verify my ticket and make sure I didn't owe the state any money which probably would have taken a while longer.

Reply #5

GASMETERGUY — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 18:17:34 GMT

There is a post somewhere in LP history where a P5 winner stated they had to wait 8 weeks to get all their money. That makes sense. The State is not going to payout money until they collect it from the outlets. That might take as long as 8 weeks. I would assume such a time lapse would also apply to PB and MM.

I'll let you know more after I win the MM next Tuesday.

Reply #4

ttech10 — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 04:45:27 GMT

From looking at PB/MM stuff, you would typically walk into the headquarters and if you get there early enough, by days end your ticket would be verified and the money transfer stuff being done. Then it would just be a matter of waiting for the state to collect the money from other states before being sent to your account.

A few years back a New York man threw his winning ticket away but had the receipt. He ended up having to wait a year until they could give him the money. Generally, though,

Reply #3

weshar75 — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 04:24:17 GMT

I read in the powerball faq section that the states have to pay powerball in order them to pay you so it usually takes a couple of weeks before you see a check from your state lottery for the prize you won like a jackpot from powerball or mega millions.-weshar75

Reply #2

bigbear29 — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 03:58:48 GMT

Great question! Like time to check if you need to pay back taxes or child support

Reply #1

rdgrnr — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 03:54:28 GMT

Depends on the state and if there's any doubt as to the validity of the claimant.

Some states will publicize a photo to try to find a winner, others won't.

Some just don't care.

Is there a waiting period after submiting a winning ticket?

loonytoon — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 02:11:11 GMT

Read an article where the winner, in Canada, was waiting for the thirty days to pass so she could get her winnings. This was sort of a special case in which the lottery found her through in store cameras and charge slips, etc. She did not have the ticket but they were awarding her the prize anyway, so the thirty day wait could be for that reason. I began to wonder if there was a waiting period standard for MegaMillions, Powerball or state lotteries. Never seen this addressed in any of the forums... [ More ]